Pencil clip



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C. Q. MARRE@ PENCIL CLIP @www l, W3@

Filed Dec. 2, 1938 Patented Aug. .1, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFlcE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in implements, such as pencils, which are provided with a clip for securing the same within a pocket. Such implements are usually provided at their upper ends with an eraser or other tool and the general object of the invention is to provide an implement of this character with a U-shaped clip which is pivotally mounted upon the implement at a distance from the upper end thereof, with the loop of the clip extending to or above the upper end of the eraser, or other tool, s0 that when the implement is placed in the pocket the implement will be wholly contained within the pocket with only the loop extending over the wall of the pocket.

A further object of the invention is to provide an implement of thecharacter above describedu with a clip which will overlie the eraser or. tool at the end of the implement and protect it when normally held within the pocketbut which may be swung laterally to expose the eraser or other tool for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pencil with a clip of the character above described in which the free end of the clip is provided with a spur to enable the clip to more i'lrmly engage the support or preferably with laterally separated spurs adapted not only to engage the support more rmly, but to prevent lateral swinging movement of the pencil,

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip of the character above described formed of thin flat resilient material in which the leg of the clip which is pivotally secured to the pencil is oiset near the upper end of the pencil in such manner that pressure upon the offset portionwill serve to disengage or relieve the engagement between the spur or spurs of the clamping leg of the clip with the support thereby enabling the pencil to be more readily removed from pocket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical pencil comprising a hollow casing with narrowly spaced thin Vflat Walls and having a removable eraser or eraser holder mounted in the upper end of the casing with a pivoted clip of the character above described which when normally overlying the eraser not only will protect it but will prevent removal of the eraser or the holder containing the eraser.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip of the character described in which the end portion of the free leg of the clip which serves to clamp the pencil upon a suitable support is provided with an outwardly beveled or (Cl. 1Z0-84) slightly curved sharp edge adapted readily to be inserted between the leaves of a book, so that the pencil provides a page marker.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pencil with a clip of the character above described in which the clamping leg of the clip is provided with a broadened portion of ornamental form adapted to have engraved upon it initials, monogram, or other suitable insignia.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for normally holding the clip in the posi- Ition in which the loop thereof overlies the eraser.

These and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawing and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l illustrates an edge view of a thin mechanical pencil of the general type illustrated and described in my prior patents, Reissue No. 20,481 granted August 24, 1937, and No. 2,039,410 granted May 5, 1936, provided with a pivotally mounted clip of the character above described embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, viewed from the left, of the upper portion of the pencil illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the pencil illustrated in Fig. l, from the opposite side, showing the pivoted clip swung laterally to expose the eraser for use;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 4-4 Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of the upper portion of the pencil of the character illustrated in Fig". l, showing a preferred means for locking the clip in the normal position in which the loop portion thereof overlies and protects the eraser and prevents it from accidental removal;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the upper portion oi the pencil showing a clip having a broadened and ornamental free end portion adapted to have engraved upon it initials or other suitable insignia;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 4 of a modified form of the invention; and,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 7.

The invention is illustrated herein as having a clip pivotally mounted upon the casing of a mechanical pencil, but it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to pencils having other types of barrels or bodies, such as a wooden body. or to other pencils than thin lead pencils.

The pencil illustrated herein comprises a body or casing I of thin sheet metal o! rectangular cross section having narrowly spaced iiat walls 2 and l provided centrally of their width with longitudinally extending corrugations, such as are illustrated in my Reissue Patent No. 20,481, forming a guideway for the lead of the pencil. '.lhe lower or point end of the casing is provided with a slightly enlarged portion 4 to receive the propelling and repelling mechanism for the lead which is connected to a rotatable conical point member 5 through which the lead 5 may be gradually extended by the lead propelling and repelling mechanism.

An eraser is mounted in any suitable manner in the upper end of the casing. As illustrated herein an eraser 'I of rubber or suitable composition is mounted in a U-shaped holder 8 of at sheet metal which is provided midway oi' its ends with transverse ribs 9 adapted tolbe seated upon the end of the walls 2 and 3 of the casing I. The free ends oi' the U-shaped holder are bent inwardly to engage into the rubber so that the rubber may be gradually pulled out as worn and held ilrmly by the inwardly bent ends in proper position for use.

The clip comprises a U-shaped member oi'l substantially iiat resilient material having a long leg I0 pivotally mounted upon a stud II which is flxedly secured to the wall 2 of the casing at a substantial distance from the end of the casing. The leg II) is provided preferably approximately at the end of the casing with an offset portion I2 which extends upwardly above the end of the eraser and is curved to form a loop I3 which normally overlies and protects the eraser. Where an eraser holder of the character described is employed this loop also prevents, accidental removal of the eraser holder and eraser from the casing. The other leg I4 of the clip, which desirably is considerably shorter than the leg II, extends downwardly into clamping relation to the wall 3 of the pencil and is adapted to engage the wall of a pocket'or other suitable support which is inserted between the free end of the clip Il and the wall 3 of the pencil.

In order to prevent accidental displacement of the pencil from the pocket or support, the clip I4 desirably is provided with a spur I5, or preferablywith a pluralityof spurs I5 and I5 so spaced apart as not only more firmly to hold the clip in engagement with the support but also to prevent lateral swinging movement of the pencil when the clip engages the support.

The otlset portion I2 of the leg Il of the clip provides a spring section which when pressed from the outside will serve to separate the leg Il from the support thereby disengaging the spur I5 or spurs I5 and I6 from the support, and enabling the pencil to be readily removed therefrom.

When it is desired to use the eraser the clip may be swung laterally about the pivot Il from its normal position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, or even further, so that the eraser will be fully exposed in such manner that it can be properly applied to the material to be erased.

Suitable means may be provided for retaining the clip in the normal position ,in which it overlies the eraser. A preferred construction is illusmated in Fig. 5 in whicneach of the ribs s of the of the clip permits the leg Il readily to be disengaged from the nib when the clip is to be swung laterally to expose therubber.

The end of the clip Il desirably is provided with a beveled or outwardly turned sharp edge portion I9 which will enable it readily to be inserted between the leaves of a book when the pencil, such as thin pencil. is to be used as a bookmark, and such construction is particularly desirable where the-pencil is to -be used as a page marker or secured to a memorandum pad in either of which the central portion of the bound edges or the pages is cut away to enable the pencil to be removably attached thereto by the insertion of the free end of the clip between the pages within the central cut-out section.

The free or clamping leg of the clip may be of any suitable form, such as a broadened portion of ornamental contour which, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is a broadened portion 20 of general trefoil design adapted to have engraved upon it initials 2l, or a monogram, or other suitable insignia which the purchaser may desire. In this construction the broadened area of the leg I4 is such as to provide a wider frictional surface to engage the wall of a pocket or other support and conse- .illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 which shows a U- shaped pencil clip formed of iiat resilient material having legs 22 and 23 of unequal length, the shorter leg 22 being pivotally connected by a stud or rivet 2l to the body of the pencil at a distance from the upper end thereof, and the long leg 28 of the loop in clamping relation to the body I of the pencil to engage the wall of a pocket or other support.

In the construction illustrated the pencil is of 'the character above described comprising a body or casing I of thin sheet metal of rectangular cross section having narrowly spaced walls and is provided with a detachable eraser holder 8 of the type shown in Fig. 4.

In order to hold the clip normally in upwardly extending position preferably the eraser'holder is provided with means to prevent relatively lateral movement between the clip and the body of the pencil. While such means may be accomplished by providing the clip andv eraser holder with a nib and socket, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be accomplished by providing the rib 8 oi the eraser holder with a recess 25 of such width as to receive the shorter leg of the clip when it is moved to normally upwardly extending position, as shown in Figs. 'l and 8.

By reason of the U-shaped construction of the clip, as disclosed in each embodiment o1' the lnvention, the full length of the pencil may be inserted in .the pocket leaving only the clip exposed to view, thus avoiding the objectionable appearance of a pencil or other tool projecting above the top of fthe pocket. Furthermore, the pencil or other tool can be easily removed from the pocket by grasping the loop of the clip and drawing it upwardly. The interengagement between the clip and the eraser holder will insure the holding of the pencil vertically within the pocket. A,

When it is desired to use the eraser or other tool the clip can be easily swung about its pivot in the mannerabove described.

It is to be understood that while the inven- "terial having substantially^fiat opposite sides.

tion is herein described as embodied in a pencil construction, it may be employed in other relations, such as a protecting and supporting device for tools of other character such as those having points or cutting edges which if carried uppermost in the pocket without .protection might injure the user. It will also be understood that the particular embodiment oi' the invention describedherein is oi' an illustrative character and not restrictive, and that various changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I-llaving thus described the invention, what is claimed 4 as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

i. -A pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially flat resilient material having one leg pivotally connected near one end to said pencil with the loop of the clip normally extending over the eraser but adapted to be swung laterally to eX- pose the eraser for use, and. the other leg of the clip having a free end portion located in clamping relation to the body of the pencil to engage the wall of a pocket orother support'therebetween.

2. A pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially iat resilient material having one leg pivotally connected near one end to said pencil with the loop of the clip normally extending over the eraser but adapted to be swung laterally to lexpose the eraser for use, and the other leg of the clip having. a free end portion located in clamping relation to the bodyoi the pencil to engage the wall of a pocket or other support therebetween, the free end of said leg terminating in a thin edge portion beveled or curved outwardly from the body of the pencil.

3. fi pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U-shaped clip ci thin substantially hat resilient material having one leg pivotally connected near one end to said pencil at a substantial distance from the end of said pencil with the loop oi the pencil clip normally extending over and protecting the eraser but adapted to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of the clip having a free end portion located in clamping relation to the body oi the pencil to receive the wall of a, pocket or other support therebetween and having laterally spaced spurs to engage the support.

d. A pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially ilat resilient material having one of its legs pivotally connected near its end to said pencil at a substantial distance from the end thereof, and offset outwardly near the upper end of said pencil with the looped portion of the clip normally extending over and protecting said eraser but adapted to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of the clip being of substantially shorter length and having a free'end portion located in clamping relation to the body of the pencil and provided with a spur or spurs to engage the wall of a pocket or other suitable support therebetween, the resiliency of the offset portion of said leg being adapted when pressure is applied to it to disengage said spurs from the support and permit easy removal of the pencil.

5. As an article of manufacture, a thin mechanical pencil comprising a casing of thin ma- Vtending over and an eraser mounted in the upper end oi said casing, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially fiat resilient material having one of its legs pivotally connected near its end to one ofthe ilat walls of said casing at a substantial distance from the end thereof, with the loop of the clip normally extending over and protecting the eraser but adapted to be swung laterally about saidpivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of said clip being of shorter length and having its free end portion located in clamping relation to the opposite wall of said casing.

6. As an article of manufacture, a thin mechanical pencil comprising a casing of thin malterial having substantially flat opposite sides, an

eraser mounted in the upper end of said casing, a U-shaped clip oi. thin substantially fiat resilient material having one of its legs pivotally connected near its end to one of the fiat Vwalls oi said casing at a substantial distance from the end thereof, with the loop of the clip normally extending over and protecting the eraser hut adapted to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose tljieeraser for use, 4the other leg oi said clip being oi shorter lengthand having its free end portion located in clamping relation to the opposite wall of said casing, and provided with an outwardly beveled or curved sharp edge capable oi being readily inserted between th leaves of a book to form a lage mai-her.. 7. As an article of manufacture, a thin mechanical pencil comprisinga casing of thin material having substantially flat opposite sides, a

holder containing an eraser having laterally en- .l

tending nibs detachably mounted in the upper end of said casing, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially dat resilient material having oneo its legs pivotally connected near its end to oneoi the hat walls of said casing at a substantial distance from the end thereof, and provided with means to engage one of said nibs and detachab-ly to retain the loop oi said clip in overlying relation to said eraser butv adapted topermit the clip to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of said clip being of shorter length and having its tree Aend portion located in clamping relation to the opposite wall oi said casing.

d. as an article of manufacture, a thin rne-l chanical pencil comprising a casing of thin material having substantially flat opposite sides, an eraser mounted in the upper end of said casing, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially ilat resilient material having one of its legs pivotally connected near its end to one of the fiat walls oi said casing at a substantial distance from the end thereof with the loop of the clip normally extending over and protecting the eraser, interengaging means normally holding said clip with the loop thereof extending over and protecting said eraser, but adapted to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of said clip being of shorter length and having its free end portion located in clamping relation to the opposite. wall of said casing.

9. A pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U'shaped clip of thin substantially fiat resilient material having one leg pivotaily connected near one end to said pencil, ata sub, stantial distance fromthe end of said pencil, with the loop of .the pencil clip normally exprotecting the eraser, but adapted to be swung laterally about said pivot to expose the eraser for use, the other leg of said dit 4 clip being relatively short and having near its free end an ornamental broadened area located in clamping relation to the opposite side of said pencil 'adapted to receive the wall of a pocket or other support therebetween, said broadened portion being adapted to have suitable insignia engraved upon it.

10. An implement adapted to be carried in the pocket having at one end a suitable tool, a U-shaped clip having one leg pivotallyvmounted upon said implement with the loop oi the clip overlying the tool at the end thereof and another leg having a free end portion located in clamping relation to the body of the implement adapted tov engage the wall of the pocket or other support interposed therebetween.

l1. A pencil having a U-shaped clip of thin substantially ilat resilient material provided with leg's of unequal length, means pivotally connect` ing the shorter leg of the clip near its end to the body of the pencil with the longer loop located in clamping relation to the body of the pencil to engage the wall of the pocket or other support therebetween. A

l2. A pencil having an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U-shaped clip of thin substantially ilat resilient material having legs o! unequal length, means pivotally connecting the shorter leg ofthe clip near its end to the barrel of the pencil with the loop oi' the clip extending to or above the upper end oi' the eraser and with the end of the longer loop located in clamping relation to the body of the pencil to engage the wall of the pocket or other support therebetween.

13. A pencil having an eraser holder containlng an eraser mounted on one end thereof, a U- shaped clip oi' thin substantially tlat resilient material having legs oi' unequal length. means 1 pivotally connecting the shorter leg ot the clip near its end to the barrel of the pencil with the loop of the clip extending to or above the upper end of the eraser and with the end of the longer loop located in clamping relation to the body ot the pencil to engage the wall of the pocket or other support therebetween, and lnterengaging means on said clip and eraser holder operable normally to hold said clip in upwardly extending parallelism with the body of the pencil.

CARL C. HARRIS. 

